Spurs boss Sherwood said: “Whenever you’ve got a player like Andros, he can change a game in an instant. He gets you off your seat and is exciting to watch.

“He had a great start to the season. We’re just hoping he can pick up that tempo again and drive on.

“Andros can go past people, turn a bad performance into a fantastic result like Gareth Bale did last year.”

Townsend, 22, has overcome a hamstring injury and will be desperate to hit the running against Everton tomorrow with the World Cup looming .

He looked nailed-on for Brazil, after his transformation from a loan- ranger to England star, before Adam Johnson’s emergence at Sunderland as a potential wildcard pick during his spell on the treatment table.

Sherwood added: “Andros wants to prove he wants to be on the plane.

“He knows he might have to do a little bit more before he gets the ticket. Johnson has been brilliant and got right back on track